Integrated Needle and Test Strip with Aspiration Apparatus and Method of Use

An integrated needle and test strip assembly, comprising:

• a needle having an upper flange, a distal end, a central hollow-bore extending through at least a portion of the needle, and at least one transverse hollow-bore near the distal end in fluid communication with the central bore;
• and
• a test strip containing at least one reaction reagent for determining a concentration of at least one analyte in the sample, the test strip in fluid communication with the upper flange of the needle.

The integrated needle and test strip assembly, further comprising:

• a differential pressure chamber in fluid communication with the central hollow-bore of the needle and the test strip.

A method of using an integrated needle and test strip assembly, comprising:

• pressing the distal end and at least one transverse bore of a needle having an upper flange, a distal end, a central hollow-bore extending through at least a portion of the needle, and at least one transverse hollow-bore near the distal end in fluid communication with the central bore into skin of a patient;
• and
• holding the needle in place until a sample is drawn through the needle into a test strip in fluid communication with the needle by way of a differential pressure chamber in fluid communication with the needle and the test strip, the test strip containing at least one reaction reagent for determining a concentration of at least one analyte in the sample.

A method of using an integrated needle and test strip assembly, comprising:

• pressing the distal end and at least one transverse bore of a needle having an upper flange, a distal end, a central hollow-bore extending through at least a portion of the needle, and at least one transverse hollow-bore near the distal end in fluid communication with the central bore into skin of a patient;
• and
• immediately removing the needle from the skin, a sample having been drawn through the distal end of the needle into a test strip in fluid communication with the needle by way of a differential pressure chamber in fluid communication with the needle and the test strip, the test strip containing at least one reaction reagent for determining a concentration of at least one analyte in the sample.